Thursday, December 22, 2016

Masilamaniswara Temple, Thiruvaduthurai – The Temple

Masilamaniswara Temple, Thiruvaduthurai – The Temple

The
temple is located 12 km away from Mayiladuthurai and 24 km away from
Kumbakonam. The temple has a five tiered Rajagopuram with elevated stone walls separating the second,
third & fourth precinct. The images of the presiding deity,
Masilamaniswarar (Gomuktheeswarar), in the form of Shiva
lingam occupies the main
sanctum facing east. The shrine of the consort of Masilamaniswarar,
Oppilamulaiyar (Atulakuchanayaki) faces west. The third prakaram has a separate shrine for the Saivite Saint Tirumular. The temple has three water bodies located at various
places inside the temple. The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam is located in the premises outside the fourth
precinct.

Sthala Vriksham
is Arasamaram, which is said to represent the Devas. Theertham is Mukti
Theertham. Presiding Lord of the temple is a swayambumurthy. Nandhi-the vehicle
of Lord Shiva is big in size. Jeeva Samadhi of Saint Tirumoolar is in the
temple. The Vimana above the sanctum is of Dwaidala design. Sri Vinayaka
of the temple is praised as Lord Thunaivandha Ganapathi – Ganapathi coming to
the rescue of devotee. There is a statue in the prakara showing a cow
pouring milk on the Linga, worshipped as Gorupambika. Sani Bhagwan is
nearby. There is no shrine for the Navagrahas the nine planets. There
are three Suns gracing the devotees together. This is a rare darshan for
the devotees.

Lord Thiyagesar
shrine is at the right of the sanctum. The procession deity is named
Anaithu Irundha Nayakar - Lord embracing Mother. Though so called, the
idol is such that the hands of Lord do not touch Mother Ambica. Couples
pray here for marital unity. Deducting the height of the peeta-platform, the
actual height of the Nandhi is 14 feet, 3 inches made with many
stones. There is also a small Nandhi before the big one. Maha Abishek
is performed during the pradosha time. There is also an Adhikara Nandhi
with a small one. Of the various remedial shrines around Tiruvidai
Marudur, praying to Nandhi Bhagwan here is considered very effective.

The
shrine for Lord Thiagesar with Mother Kamalaambigai is on the right of the
presiding Lord’s shrine. It is said that Lord Shiva taught the 8 yogic
powers (Ashtama Siddhis) to Navakodi Siddhas including Bogar from this holy
land. There are separate shrines for Thirumaligai Thevar whose 4 Pathigams
(40 verses) form the 9th Thirumurai (Thiruvisaipa) of the 12 holy Saivite
devotional literature (Panniru Thirumurai) and Namshivayamurthy Swamigal. The
place is also praised as Nandhinagar and Gomuktinagar.

The
temple has elevated stone walls separating the second, third and fourth
precinct. The third prakaram has a separate shrine for the Saivite
saint Tirumular. The temple has three water bodies (Gomukthi Theertham, Bhrama
Theertham and Kaivalya Theertham) located at various places inside the temple.
The Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam is located in the premises outside the fourth
precinct.